Guest blog by the lovely Miss Leah

Narrow praise
 
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”  Book of Matthew 7:13-14, the words of the Messiah.

Narrow is the way.  Narrow.  And few find it.  What could this path look like?
Imaginations lead me to images of a secret path long forgotten; one over-grown with weeds, thorns and briars.  Crouching is not enough to discover its veiled mystery.  A deliberate mission of unveiling must be undertaken.

Yet one does not even become aware that such a road exists unless something stirring within eludes and draws one to the truth of its nature.  How difficult heeding this tiny, fleeting whisper which woos of other paths, can surely be.  The path which one does currently stand upon is beset with jewels, sparkles, and glitter; all the things which entice the eye, the mind, the soul.

Narrow or wide?  Easy or difficult?  Carnality of human nature will naturally follow the easy open road.  But the spirit within man, desirous of greater and deeper truths, hungers for the narrow, illusive ancient path to life.

Reflecting upon this verse this morning, it sobers me to my current positions, both spiritual and physical.  I find myself lusting for the sparkle of the broad way.  With all its lights, chorus and production, the excitement it generates is captivating.  It's entertaining.  But then Matthew 7:14 reminds me that the path to life may not, at first, appear so lustrous, but it is indeed, the only, narrow entrance way to what it is I truly seek: life.  Entertainment yields a grand mirage of life, but the Messiah is the only One capable of providing a cup full of the promise.

I am in no position to judge what path one may have made their current route, but if what Yahshua says is truth; the majority of us are on the wrong road.  Psychology teaches that no one wants to be wrong.  We all have an innate desire to be “right”.  But those who find it are few.  Wrong about where I misplaced my keys is one thing.  Wrong about matters of life, I find exceptionally much more difficult to swallow.

Perhaps, for a moment, we should briefly glance south, peering down towards toes and feet.  What path is it we stand upon?  Is it so wide there's room to lay length wise?  Or can you barely see the difficult path extend beyond the edges of your form?  Does it sparkle or is it a dusty dirt road?  Not that there is anything wrong with sparkles!  But though life is often entertaining, entertainment is rarely life.

After a deeper exploration of the unoriginal Greek, the broad path is said to be “entered into”; denoting a certain degree of passivity.  While the Greek for “find” in regards to the narrow path, clearly expresses a direct and deliberate searching, seeking; pursuit and discovery.  The word is “heurisko”.  In light of the contrasting connotations, perhaps it's that Yahshua was stating that there will be few who will seek and actively pursue the path which leads to life; and therefore never find it.  It as if we naturally enter this world landing on the broad and easy path, routinely plopped upon it by a less than dutiful stork. 

It takes our deliberate attempt to leave the broad and seek the narrow....like Alice's chase for the illusive white rabbit, torn almost directly from the pages of Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland.  In order to continue the chase down the tiny path, Alice must somehow squeeze herself through a narrow doorway she must, first shrink herself in order to fit inside.  Who knew Carol was so spiritual?

So did you look?  At your feet, silly.  What does your path look like?  What does your “way” reveal?

Currently, my running shoes are ready for the adventure of a chase.  And at the end of this narrow and humble road I seek, is the Savior, and not a white rabbit, Who holds the keys to praising life.

To "praise".  I've been sitting on this revelation for a few weeks.  Partially, due to business, and partially, I believe, so that I could gain even more depth and understanding regarding this topic.

This revelation was opened to me with Psalm 117.  Psalm 117 is the shortest of all the psalms, composed of a mere two verses.  Yet, it swells with vibrant wisdom contained within its mysterious brevity.  The psalm is as follows:

“Praise Yahuah, all you nations!  Extol Him, all you peoples!  For His kindness is mighty over us, and the truth of Yahuah is everlasting.  Praise Yah!“ (ISR)

When studying the original Hebrew, which the text was written in, so much more can be captured than from what the English language is able to express, alone.  I began dissecting the first “praise” in verse one.  Here, the original word is “halal”.  Halal means to shine; flash forth light; be boastful; the use of a clear, sharp tone; to be foolish; to sing one's praises; to boast oneself.

I've often pondered myself and questioned via prayers, what does it mean to praise?  There are scriptures upon scriptures which allude to “praising Yahuah,” yet who has a clear understanding of what it means to praise the Creator Yah?  Many commentaries have been written, and if you were to walk into any mainstream Christian church, you'd more than likely experience a time of “praise and worship”.  This “praise and worship” time is normally composed of the playing of musical instruments and singing.  Some congregations may involve dance or drama, but they are fewer in number.  It has become so commonplace (the correlation of music to worship), that “praise and worship” has all but become synonymous with spiritual music.  I agree that the use of instruments, songs, hymn, singing, and the like, are certainly a means to worship and praise.  But there is an intuitive nature within me which cries that it is so much more.

So back to my dissection of Hebrew.  Halal, at first; struck me in its reference to the utilization of light.  At once, it brought to my mind, the image of a photo being “snapped”, captured by a sudden bursting forth of light via flashbulb.  This warmed my heart, as I have often sensed His guiding Spirit, inspiration, and glow in capturing a certain scene by means of a shutter and lens.  Other photographers I've spoken with, also speak of their greatest photographs being captured by a means of inspiration.  It is not our creation which we esoterically capture, but by capturing His beauty, we somehow become co-creators with the divine – boasting of His marvelous handiwork, as the scriptures describe it.

Which brings us back to another possible definition for halal: to be boastful.  If one is like me, the word “boast” automatically rouses notions of arrogance, sports; and esteeming oneself above the rest.  Yet, I find a different connotation from “boast” in this definition.  This boasting arises without the self as the sole purpose of the boast.  The self becomes a mere vessel to point the boastful finger at another.  It is like that neon orange “DETOUR” sign which, at first, draws attention to its bold statement, only to redirect the traveler to a more important location.  I see this kind of boasting in the boast used to praise.

I have a very talented friend which this form of praise reminds me.  This friend is a fabulous tailor.  He is skilled in color, design, sewing, and displaying his unique fabrics.  Everywhere he wears his divinely inspired fashions, he gets looks, comments, accolades, and inquiries as to how one can obtain one of their own.  The means in which my friend carries himself is in the most humble manner.  There is no need for him to draw attention to himself, for the clothing shouts for itself!  In this way, his boastful clothing draws on-lookers to him and his talent.  But it does not halt there.  For my friend always points his admirers to the source of his skills.  He gives credit to another.

All this was gathered from the first “praise” in verse one.  The second “praise” is translated the same but has a different Hebrew root word.  The original word here, is “shabach”.  Shabach means to soothe, still; stroke.  I see this relating to praise in the hands of a potter, smoothing his clay upon his wheel.  I see it in the stroke of the artist's paintbrush.  I see it in the way a playwright soothes his audience with the graceful orchestration of plot and setting.  I see it as the hand which soothes the ill, stroking frail hands and soothing a broken spirit.  I see this praise as one which nourishes the soul, stirring it in a calming and regenerative fashion.

The Arabic understanding of “stroke” is in relation to waters, such as in stilling a wave.  This automatically takes my mind to Yahshua's calming of the stormy sea in Mark 4:39.  Yahshua spoke to the sea, “Peace, be still.”

Psalm 117 is addressed to “all you nations.”  For a religion which originated in Hebrew culture and among the Hebrew people, the invitation is not limited to their ethnic descendants.  It encompasses the native and the foreigner, alike.  It extends to all the world, all of creation.  For, as verse two declares, “For His kindness is great over us, and the truth of Yahuah is everlasting.  Praise (“halal”) Yah!”

Perhaps my brief introspection into what it means to “praise” has shined forth some light of illumination upon what many of us have always known to be a deeper truth.  I hope all the artists out there, no matter what your preferred medium may be, is encouraged and inspired to keep making praises among all of creation, in the way that only you are able to co-create!

Dissing dispensationalism

Shalom.  Last month’s blog on KJV Facts was such fun that I’d like to fact-find another matter, dispensationalism.  Also called replacement theology, dispensationalism is the relatively new doctrine of the law either having been done away with by the death and resurrection of Yahushua or being something just for the Jews.  Since I briefly touched on how He didn’t come to annul His Father’s Torah in my blogs on James and Galatians recently, I’ll only answer a couple of the most common objections.  Firstly, this sentence at the end of Mark 7:19 saying “And thus He declared all food clean” was added at a much later time and some translations even admit this in their footnotes.  Secondly, the three sheets of unclean animals in Kepha’s Acts 10 dream represent three Gentile converts that soon come to visit him as he explains himself later.  Now moving on…    

Exodus 12:49: “One law shall be to him that is native, and to the stranger that sojourns among you”.  Who is being spoken of here?  Israel (more accurately Yisrael).  So who then is Israel?  Israel is a country in the Middle East and so much more, it’s the nation (people group) that Yahuah chose to covenant with.  There are Israelites all over the world, not to be confused with Israelis; those who are born in the land of Israel.  Israel consists of twelve tribes, the Jews being but one.  In other words, all Jews are Israelites but not all Israelites are Jews.  Since the letter J is barely 500 years old, the actual term for them is Yahudim, from the tribe of Yahudah or “Judah”.  I personally believe in the two house teaching, that most former Gentiles are either engrafting into Israel or returning ancestors of the Israelites who were dispersed across the earth during the Assyrian raids of 722 BC.  Only the southern tribes remained, Yahudah and Benyamin.  These are historical facts, not theories or errors.  Yah has repeatedly promised His prophets to exile/restore these lost Israelites to their covenant (Isaiah 11-49, Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 4-37), thus we have the true Messianic/Nazarene Israelite movement taking its hold.  There’s only one way for all believers to live, it’s Torah and not Noahide Laws. 

If that’s just a little too “Old Testament” then don’t worry, the lost sheep of Israel are also alluded to in the gospels (Matthew 15 and John 10).  People hear that the two house teaching is a controversial thing, which is due to the false doctrines that various extremists seek to attach to it.  Some like to claim that their long-lost Israelite blood will be what saves them, in which case the Messiah died in vain; heresy indeed.  Others like to solely lay claim to being these lost Israelites, shutting out everyone else.  Mormons, Black Israelite and White Ephraimite groups would be the main examples.  This is elitist at best and racist at worst, and has no place in the law.  I think it would be cool if I found out I had some Israelite ancestry in my heritage, but that’s all it would be.  He mercifully accepts all who repent and we don’t need the approval of a “rabbi” or their congregation.

Often times when I try to explain my beliefs to others I’m asked if I’m somehow “trying to be a Jew.”  Sigh, a Messianic can be a Jew who finds Yahushua but also a Gentile who finds His Torah.  It’s a harsh reality, but it’s the twelve tribes of Israel that will have gates into the coming kingdom and not the twelve denominations of dispensationalism as we read in Revelation 21:12: “And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.”  Nowhere in Scriptures is Israel replaced with some new entity called the “Church”, and all promises made to Israel by the Master are still valid.  The goal as outlined in Romans 11 is to engraft into Israel if we’re not already and many people say they understand this, just as long as you don’t remind them that being in the family of Israel includes obeying the family rules.  If you do then you may be told that they’re “spiritual Israelites”.  Sounds good on the surface but no such thing exists in Scripture, we’re either Israelites or we’re not.  The prodigal son is returning to Elohim after some lawless living and wasted riches.  At any rate, here are some facts our dispensationalist friends won’t dig.  Oh well, the truth can only set us free.  Let’s begin:


The early church father Marcion was so anti-Semitic that he wanted to do away with all things Jewish and even wanted to have a “Christian Bible” made up.  Fortunately his contemporaries disagreed and the idea received minor attention before dying out.

It wasn’t until the 1800’s that John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren picked up on Marcionism and expounded on it, thus garnering the title “Father of dispensationalism”.

In 1827 he came up with the “secret rapture” doctrine, being that there would be two second comings.  This was challenged, so he came to “new revelation” that the only way it could work was if the Scriptures were divided into categories for Jews and Christians.

He used 2 Timothy 2:15 as his justification: “Study to show yourself approved by Yahuah, a worker that needs not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth”.

If Darby was the father of it, then surely Mr. Scofield was dispensationalism’s agent.  He claimed that the Our Father in Matthew 6 was a Jewish prayer that shouldn’t be recited by Christians.  Odd, seeing as Judaism doesn’t recognize the Renewed Testament.

It was his 1909 publication of the Scofield Reference Bible that carried the message to people in a way that made it popular.  It too was challenged, sadly to no effect though.


- For more info on the 2 house teaching please see http://www.1shepherd1flock.webs.com/ and http://thismessage.webstarts.com/ .

King James: Rollin' in his grave?

Happy Passover, this time of year makes me think about how the King James Version is the only one that falsely replaces Passover with Ishtar (more commonly known as Easter) in Acts 12:4: “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people”. I’m also thinking about how that fuzzy little Ishtar bunny never seems to give any answers to the questions that some have. Questions like what is the perfect “Bible” translation? If there is no perfect translation, then which’s the best? As far as which one is the best, that depends on who you ask but my personal choices are any that are rooted in a Hebraic understanding. By that I mean the translations were done with the understanding that the “New Testament” was originally written in Hebrew/Aramaic and not Greek as has historically been the accepted thought. I know that so far the oldest existing manuscripts we have for the Renewed Testament are written in Greek, but there’s much evidence to support these manuscripts as having been translations of earlier Hebrew works. There’s also obvious mistranslations made in carrying it from the one language to the other, this partly explains why many find the Scriptures to be confusing.


You’ve probably guessed it by now, but I don’t believe there is a perfect translation; and I sure don’t believe it’s the King James. Before I go on I’d just like to say that I’m aware of how many common translations omit verses pertaining to baptism and I’m thankful that the KJV doesn’t do that; but it’s still not perfect and Acts 12:4 is but one reason why. And many people have heard it’s the best translation out there so they just go with the flow without ever questioning why, I pray that they may find this blog to be insightful. I’m also writing this for the KJV activists (they come in all denominations with one in particular seemingly most fervent), those who get together to publically burn other versions because they believe the King James is perfect based on 1 Corinthians 13:10: “And when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away”. Good grief. I’m by far no expert on sword fighting, but I’ve a hunch that this verse is really referring to what the rest of the chapter is: love coming and completing us. The power of love is so great that if we do everything else in life just about perfectly but don’t walk in it then we’ve missed the whole point. Speaking of points, mine is to share some historical facts about the King James that you may or may not know; so please enjoy:


The King James was in actuality commissioned by his acting wifey (some say he was gay), the Queen.

The original 1611 version is the first one to give us the false name of “Jehovah”, and hovah/howah really means wickedness in the Hebrew (see a concordance).

The texts used to compile the King James are missing so many words that translators had to insert several ones in order for it to be read properly, you can check this for yourself by noticing all these added words in italic within a KJV or by seeing it too in a good concordance.

Not in the original 1611 version but in a later one, the King James is the first one to give us the false name of “Jesus”.

To those who’d have us believe the Renewed Testament was wholly written in the original “inspired Greek”, even if we pretend it was there’s still an accuracy problem. The Renewed Testament texts of the KJV are only partially Greek, the rest being later Latin and even later English ones; oh me oh my.

The Greek texts that were used in the KJV Renewed Testament were commissioned by Yohan Frovan in 1514 to Desiderus Erasmus, with Frovan giving him a strict deadline in order to beat a competing publisher to press.

Because he was so rushed he only had time to access 7 authentic Greek texts (the oldest of which being only from the 11th century), the rest he then back-translated from Latin.

In addition to being hurried along, the printer made numerous changes after he handed his work in; leading him to freely confess that it was “thrown together rather than edited”.


Now let me just say this before I get accused of trying to destroy anyone’s faith: I’m not going there. Well, not faith in Yahushua at least. But if busting the myth that the King James is at best perfect and at worst the most accurate translation available then I am gleefully guilty as charged. My plea is that all of us question what we’re told is truth, dig into the Scriptures more and firmly plant our faith. Until later, take care of your shalom.

Galatians gazed upon

Round two, let’s see if Galatians tells us we’re “free” from the law of Yah.  As I mentioned in my take on James, Shaul was called to minister to formerly Gentile converts; and we read him state this himself in 1:15-16.  This is also seen in 2:2-9, with Barnabas ministering to them in addition to Shaul.  Now although there appears to be some difference between Jews and Gentiles as far as who ministered to whom, there is absolutely none in regards to fellowship within the body of Yahushua.  Peter (Kepha) segregated himself from the Gentiles when fellow Jews arrived with Yakov, and Shaul was so dismayed that he publically called him out on it to his face.  We find this incident over in 2:11-14.  In the remainder of the chapter, 2:15-21; very interesting verses are appearing that some misinterpret to justify their disregard for Torah obedience.  Shaul proclaims how we’re not under the law and it seems that’s where many stop reading without taking the context into account.  I’ll submit to you that he’s clearly saying we’re not under the law FOR SALVATION, not that it’s done away with or for Jews only (dispensationalism).  When he says he’s dead to the law he means he’s dead to faith in it for salvation, such faith is not living; non-existent.  This is so clear, because as many times as he mentions the Torah in this passage he also contrasts it to the salvation of our beloved Yahushua.  Apparently certain brethren were embracing/spreading a new doctrine that following the Torah saves, this of course was never true as Yahuah’s plan of salvation has always been to come by grace through faith in His Son; so Shaul rebukes the heresy.  And he does so by quoting the law, in case anyone still thinks he had hated it.

He continues to do so entering the third chapter and I don’t have any trouble with it, as long as his words aren’t twisted to teach how grace/faith is some recent discovery which negates the Torah.  Sadly though that seems to be the message preached over the last decade, and I think Shaul would be heartbroken to see this trend transpire.  Perhaps all of us should seek to be balanced as believers, to just ask if it’s possible that the same Father who gave the grace of Yahushua also gave us His law and both are good to the point of being followed.  As a mentor of mine says, being able to unlearn false things is just as important as being able to learn new truths.  Most know cursed are those who fail to do all of the Torah (everyone), and the good news of how Yahushua came to take away the curse if our faith is in Him.  What curse?  Well it can’t be the law, not according to 3:12: “Now the law was not from faith, but whoever is a doer of those things that are written in it will live (temporally) by them”.  I still don’t know everything, but I know that if by Torah obedience I’ll be blessed with life then I’m not about to dare call the Torah a curse.  He’s redeemed us from the curse of the law, NOT the curse which is the law.  Given the context, my opinion is that “curse of the Torah” simply refers to the fact that all who violate it are cursed in that we’re guilty of death; without the Messiah of course.  Likewise, the law does not negate the promise Yahuah made in sending us the Savior to free us from eternal death so I don’t have a problem with the end of this chapter either.  That’s what we’re freed from, yes the Torah is a tutor pointing to everyone’s need for a Redeemer; including those who previously may have mistakenly done it for redemption.  

Shaul carries this theme into the fourth chapter to those desiring to be under law for salvation, but I feel as if getting into it in depth would be terribly repetitive.  I will just say that verse 10 is another one where reason seems to get left at the door: “Days and months and times of year you observe”.  This is said in a negative context, so a lot of people seem to think this means the Sabbath is now done away with despite the fact that it’s not even mentioned here.  I’ll admit that there isn’t anything to go by to logically determine what days exactly he means, but I can take an educated guess based on what he said in Romans.  That’s where he rebuked the assembly in Rome for observing special days of fasting that they either made up or adopted from those around them, ones not found in Torah.  Maybe those in Galatia did the exact same thing, it’s entirely possible.  Our dear misunderstood brother gets more specific in the fifth and sixth chapters, saying that the portion of Torah dealing with circumcision doesn’t save.  We see this same subject dealt with in Acts and Romans.  Bear with me here, but my dispensationalist friends who believe Yahushua’s death did away with the law are partially right.  It obviously did away with the sacrificial/ceremonial part of the Torah, as He is our sacrificial Lamb of Yah.  It also succeeded in doing away with the circumcision part (in adult converts), which Yahuah had promised to do in Jeremiah by circumcising His law on our hearts.  Therefore we should now have a love for it, so that we can call it good and practice it.  In conclusion, I personally don’t come away from reading Galatians with any desire to stop attempting to follow the law as my general pattern of loving; I just don’t.

James justified

Greetings again dear brothers and sisters, my apologies for the extreme length of the last post but I feel as though the content was vital enough to warrant it; vital for everyone – including the vain.  As Lupercalia (more commonly known as Valentine’s Day) dawns upon us once more I am prompted to quickly comment on another trend I’ve personally witnessed a number of times, that of many but not all young women in Christianity or fresh out of it who will only go for pretty boys with a musical ability of some sort.  Are they so shallow that the size of a man’s guitar neck is more important than his heart?  Time to grow up ladies, shall we?  Ok, now on to what I really want to dig into.  Let me just say that I’m not one to sword fight, but recently a friend tried using James (Yakov) as “proof” of disobedience; which inspired me to re-examine/defend what I believe it says.            

I find it interesting that anyone would attempt using James of all the Renewed Testament books as evidence in an anti-law argument, seeing as it tells us in the very first chapter that we shouldn’t be deceived into only hearing the word but not doing it (1:22-25).  What word?  I submit to you that word here is referring to Torah, as is the case many other times in Scripture.  This theme carries on into the second chapter.  A potential problem with seeing this though comes from a common misunderstanding of verse 8: “And if you fulfill (do) the Torah of Elohim in this as it is written that you shall love your neighbor as yourself”.  Quoting the “Old Testament” book of Leviticus, how about that?  Our Messiah Yahushua also quotes this in the gospels and in fact He calls it the greatest command of the law/prophets.  What He is not saying is that the whole of the law has been suddenly whittled down to just love, yet this is a popular enough belief with many.  I’ve also heard it said that the law has been downsized to the Ten Commandments.  If this were true though we could do all sorts of other disgusting things that aren’t covered by the 10, such as commit incest; drink blood and torture others.  If this were so then we would have to conclude that everyone in Scripture after Yahushua who observed any aspect of Torah not covered by the 10 was a deceived fool, good grief.  Not at all, but at this point the anti-law defense usually moves over to the realm of dispensationalism.

This doctrine can easily be shot down by the fact that there is no longer “Jew” or “Gentile” in the Messiah, but for the sake of argument let’s use our imaginations and pretend otherwise.  “Now Matt, Shaul only did acts of Torah in front of the Jews a few times in order to appease them for the purpose of being all things to all men”.  While it is true that he took a Nazarite vow so that some Jewish brothers who thought he was against the law would see contrary, it’s also true that the primary audience of his ministry was in fact “Gentile” and there are instances that can’t be ignored where he either proclaims obedience to the law or actually observes it in front of them.  There is no problem however when we view the commandment to love as the root of the Ten which is in turn the root of the rest, a tree of teaching if you will.  Another common area of misunderstanding is 2:10: “For he who keeps the whole Torah and offends in one thing is found guilty of the whole Torah”.  So because we can’t keep all of the law should we then not even try to do what we can?  Or as Shaul put it, should we go on sinning so that grace may abound?  Certainly not!  Moving on to verses 14-26 we encounter those well known words in James that promote works.  What works?  Works of the law I’d say, founded out of love for Yahuah sending His only Son to save us by His atoning blood. 

In chapter 4:11-12 we are told not to speak against the Torah, that doing so it is as bad as wrongly judging our brother.  Often when we see loved ones struggling with a particular sin (violation of Yah’s law) and say something out of concern, we can be met with the response that we’re somehow judging.  Well, we’re supposed to.  I mean rightly judging, done out of love and not hypocrisy and/or condemnation.  Because if Scripture says there is a wrong form of judging, that implies there’s a right one.  And there is, Proverbs quoted in the very last line of James: “Let him know that he who turns back a sinner from the error of their ways will make alive his soul from death and will blot out a multitude of sins”.  In conclusion, I personally don’t come away from reading James with any desire to stop attempting to follow the Torah as my general pattern of living; I just don’t see it.                  

Spirit of exodus

(Note:  I’m not nor have ever been a racist or anti-Semite.  I’m anti-authorities who seek to go against the truth of our heavenly Father.  They come in many creeds.)

Happy new year, hope your last little while has been safe and joyous.  It’s a time when many will seek out new beginnings, resolutions and reformations.  I’ve got a few things bopping around in my head that I’d like to blog about, but one in particular jumps out as the most important so I’ll start out with it.  It may or may not save lives even, I don’t really know.  You see, in recent years I’ve noticed a trend.  I’ve seen it mostly in Messianics, but in some Christians too.  It seems that a lot of people believe us to be in the end times.  We might or might not be - I don’t know so I’m not going to debate that.  On one hand, things around the world do seem to be getting pretty hairy.  On the other hand, people have lived and died since Israel was reborn in 1948 that have trusted themselves to be to be the ones living in the final days.  What I do know is that many current believers feel compelled to do one thing to deal with this potential end: move away to go live there!  Not just on a missionary trip either, but for permanent residence.          

They think they’ll be safe there.  In my opinion this is odd, seeing as even unsaved non-believers with no faith in anything realize that it’s a place mired in warfare; anything but safe and peaceful.  Not to put down the Israeli people, just stating a fact here.  I believe Yahuah will seal us for protection (anti-mark of the beast for those worrying about that) as promised in Revelation 9, but still; why tempt fate?  Another point I’d like to raise is that Yahushua warned those in the land to flee in Luke 21 and not let anyone in as the prophetic end comes.  Not to mention that if/when an evil global government takes hold, yes; Israel will be subject to it too.  And lastly, if we all moved away from North America to Israel then there would be nobody left to reach the lost people here.  I’m one of the sorts that think there is a reason why Yah made us born scattered, to plant seed around us.  So then why do they believe they’ll be safe there?  Personally, I think it’s due to all the books and sites out there pointing to the North American financial system as the whorish beast.  I don’t believe it is, but that’s a whole other topic indeed for another time perhaps.

What’s more, there are vital political consequences for both “Jews” and “Gentiles” seeking to relocate there in the form of a mandatory allegiance to the Noahide Laws.  Those who promote them also love to have us wearing hats of unclean origin at the western Wailing Wall, and in truth they’re a bastardized version of the 10 Commandments.  They come not from Yah but from the man-made Talmud, while only He makes anyone righteous.  If you raise this to the powers that be they may deny it and tell you these Laws come from Acts 15 if they are “Messianic”, yet a quick comparison easily refutes this.  For the “Jewish” Messianic believer who embraces the real name of our Father, they may encounter serious reprisal for this.  For the “Gentile” Messianic believer, they may also face severe consequences for embracing the proper Sabbath and Torah in general.  What consequences?  I’ll let this excerpt from L. McGuire’s Followers of Yah tract answer, at the risk of being called a parrot and fear monger.  Dig this:

Ever heard of the Noahide (Noachide) Laws?  Talk has been going around that these are harmless.  “Hey, they were given to Noah; right?”  On the contrary, to such claims they are dangerous to EVERYONE!  “Do not be destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  (Hosea 4:6).  Say hello to the Seven Universal Laws of Man as listed by the Talmud (Sanh 56a):  Prohibition of idolatry.  Prohibition of murder.  Prohibition of theft.  Prohibition of sexual immorality.  Prohibition of blasphemy.  Prohibition of cruelty to animals.  Requirement to have just laws: you shall set up an effective judiciary to enforce the preceding six laws fairly.  These laws along with those who promote them are telling people there are 2 sets of laws, one for the Jews (Yahudim) and the other for the Gentiles (Goyim).  We know this isn’t Scriptural because we’re told:  “There is one Torah for the native-born and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”  (Exodus 12:49)

That is the reason the Noahide Laws are dangerous!  These laws are growing at an alarming rate in popularity.  They have even reached the U.S. Congress:  “The U.S. Congress officially recognized the Noahide Laws in legislation that was passed by both houses.  Congress and the President of the U.S. George Bush indicated in Public Law 102-14 of the 102^nd Congress that the United States of America was founded upon the Seven Universal Laws of Noah, and that these laws have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization.  They also acknowledged that the Seven Laws of Noah are the foundation upon which civilization stands and that recent weakening of these principles threaten the fabric of civilized society, and that justified preoccupation in educating the citizens of the U.S. of America and future generations is needed.  For this purpose, this Public Law designated March 26^th 1991 as Education Day.”  Well, isn’t that just sneaky?!  And here we thought the U.S. was founded on the top ten.  Oops, guess we were wrong; huh?  Sadly, this is not just for the state of Yisrael (Israel) or even the U.S., but for the whole world: “This obligation to teach all the peoples of the earth about the Laws of Noah, is incumbent upon every individual in every era.”  (Mishnah Torah, Law of Kings 8:10).  Do you want to live in Yisrael (Israel)?  If so, are you prepared to sign forms giving your allegiance to these counterfeit Ten Commandments?

http://wikipedia.org/wiki/seven_laws_of_noah: “In January 2004, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel; Sheikh Mowafak Tarif signed a declaration calling on all non-Jews in Israel to observe the Noahide Laws as laid down in the Hebrew Bible and expounded on in Jewish tradition.  The mayor of the Galilean city of Shefa-Amr (Shfaram) – where Muslim, Christian and Druze communities live side by side – also signed the document.  The declaration includes the commitment to make a better, more humane world based on the Seven Noachide Commandments and the values they represent commanded by the Creator to all mankind through Moses at Sinai.  Support for the spread of the Seven Noahide Commandments by the Druze leaders reflects the Biblical narrative itself.  The Druze community reveres the non-Jewish father-in-law of Moses, Jethro; whom Arabs call Shoabib.  According to the Biblical narrative, Jethro joined and assisted the Jewish people in the desert during the exodus; accepted monotheism but ultimately rejoined his own people.  In fact, the tomb of Jethro in Tiberias is the most important religious site for the Druze community.”

As we can see, these laws do not say anything about the Sabbath.  When reading the following, tears fell from my eyes.  Remember beloved friends, the ones that the dragon will wage war with will be those that follow Revelation 14:12.  “Gentiles may not ne taught the Torah.  Inasmuch as the Jews had their own distinct jurisdiction, it would have been unwise to reveal their laws to the Gentiles; for such knowledge might have operated against the Jews in their opponent’s courts.  Hence the Talmud prohibited the teaching to a Gentile of the Torah, the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.”  (Deut. Xxxiii.4).  R. Johanan says of one such teaching: “Such a person deserves death (an idiom used to express indignation), it is like placing an obstacle before the blind.”  (Sanh. 59ag, 13a).  Yet if a Gentile studies the Law for the purpose of observing the moral laws of Noah, R. Meir says he is as good as a high priest and quotes: “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man shall do; he shall live in them.”  (Lev. Xviii.5).  The text does not specify an Israelite or a Levite or a priest, but simply “a man” – even a Gentile.  (Ab Zarah 26a).  Resh Laish (d. 278) said “A Gentile observing the Sabbath deserves death. (Sanh. 58b).  This refers to a Gentile who accepted the seven laws of the Noachide, inasmuch as the Sabbath is a sign between God and Israel alone; and it was probably directed against the Christian Jews who disregarded the Mosaic Laws and yet at that time kept up the observance of the Jewish Sabbath.”

Before I go on, I must interrupt and say the Scriptures are very clear; there is only one Torah for both the native-born and the stranger.  No one is righteous.  The seventh day Sabbath was made qodesh at the beginning (Genesis 2:3).  The seventh day Sabbath is not the Jews but it is the sign that binds believers to the Creator of heaven and earth.  Ok, back to the article:  “Rabbina, who lived about 150 years after the Christians had changed the day of rest to Sunday, could not quite understand the principle underlying Resh Laish’s law, and, commenting upon it, added that not even on Mondays (is the Gentile allowed to rest), intimating that the mandate given to the Noachide that day and night shall not cease = have no rest taken in a literal sense (Gen viii. 22) – probably to discourage general idleness (ib.Rashi), or for the more plausible reason advanced by Maimonides, who says that the principle is, one is permitted to make innovations in religion or to create new commandments.  He has the privilege to become a true proselyte by accepting the whole law (Yad Melakim x.9).  R. Emden, in a remarkable apology for Christianity contained in his appendix to Seder Olam (pp. 32b-34b, Hamburg; 1752) gives it as his opinion that the original intention of Jesus; and especially of Paul was to convert only the Gentiles to the seven moral laws of Noah and to let the Jews follow the Mosaic law – which explains the apparent contradictions in the New Testament regarding the laws of Moses and the Sabbath”.  According to the Jewish Kabbalist one does not have to embrace or even convert to Judaism.  All gentiles just have to follow the Noahide Laws.  These moral codes are believed to unite all mankind.  Point blank, the Noahide Laws replace the marriage vows/ten commandments of Yahuah!  These are not just religious laws but as we have read, the U.S. now considers them universal laws for all of mankind.  Unbelievable, but it is true!  Oh, it gets worse though.  Unlike the Torah teaching found in Deut.17:6, that requires testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses before 1 can be executed; according to the Noahide Laws it only takes 1 witness!

Who ever is found breaking one of these laws is subject to capital punishment by decapitation (Sanh.57a).  To further expound on this evidence the following is taken from The Encyclopedia Judaica 1192: “Violation of any of one of the seven laws subjects the Noahide to capital punishment by execution.”  Wow, that has my attention.  How about yours?  I must repeat to those who practice Rev. 12:17 and 14:12, this message is for YOU.  Seek Eloah now because according to these people a Gentile cannot keep the 7^th day Sabbath!  The tract that you are reading will some day be considered hate literature.  Ever heard of the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act?  It was signed back on October 8^th, 2004.  Not everyone should have to be hated simply because of one’s religion, race or gender but this act that went into effect just involves anti-Semitism.  In essence, if anyone speaks about the state of Israel (Yisrael) in a bad way that person is anti-Semitic.  It goes so far as to say that anyone who says the Jews were behind the Messiah being impaled are anti-Semitic.  Even the Messianic Scriptures are considered to be anti-Semitic.  Taking into consideration the Noahide Laws and this Global Anti-Semitic Review Act, it makes perfect sense why we see T.V. pastors like John Hagee saying the Jews did not reject the Messiah and that they do not need to accept Him.  I personally believe the Jewish people were not Messiah killers because Yahushua tells us the following in John/Yohanan 10:18: “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.  I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again.  This command I have received from My Father.”  Now that is power!  Sure, the council despised and hated Him because they were of their abba ha shatan and all of us are of the body of the Messiah they hated (Rev. 12:17).  According to the Noahide Laws if one believes in Yahushua the Messiah then they are guilty of idolatry.  To add fuel to the fire, if you speak the name of Eloah you are guilty of blasphemy; guilty as charged with the outcome of decapitation.  This is nothing new, the stoning of Stephen angered the council greatly because he spoke the name of Eloah (please read Acts 6 and 7).  Stephen had picked up his staff and followed in his Master’s footsteps.

See, according to the tradition only a priest is able to speak ha shem (the name); anyone else is guilty of blasphemy.  Forsaking the command of Elohim, you hold fast to the traditions of men (Mark 7:8).  Since the Messiah came in His Abba’s name (Yahuah), He carries ha shem (the name) within His name; Yahushua.  Ponder the following: I have come in My Father’s name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name; him you would receive (John/Yohanan 5:43).  Then they shall deliver you up to affliction and kill you, and you shall be hated by all nations for My name’s sake (Matt/Matittyahu 24:9).  Many of you might be thinking that was just for those early believers, there is no Sanhedrin now.  If I may, please find something sturdy to hold on to; the following information might be a lot to digest: “There is a special commandment, not connected to time; but tied to our presence in Israel to establish a Sanhedrin.  The Rambam (12^th century Rabbi Maimonides) describes the process exactly in the Mishna Torah.  When he wrote it, there was no Sanhedrin; and he therefore outlined the steps necessary to establish one.  When there is a majority of rabbis in Israel who authorize one person to be an authority, he can then reestablish Sanhedrin (Israel National News, 12-09-04)”. 

The council of Sanhedrin has been established: “On October 13^th the Sanhedrin, the highest tribunal of the Jewish state and religion; was re-inaugurated by a group of rabbis in Tiberias after 1600 years of absence.  According to Jewish sources, last notice of the Sanhedrin dates around 425 AD; also in the city of Tiberias.  After that, it ceased to exist (Israel National News, 10-13-04)”.  And: “Newly formed Sanhedrin ascends to Temple Mount in a dramatic but unpublicized move Monday, members of the newly established Sanhedrin ascended the Temple Mount.  Rabbi Chaim Richmond, also a member of the Sanhedrin (head of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem); hopes the body will bring about a revolution in Jewish jurisprudence.  The revival of the Sanhedrin is also considered a crucial development in preparation for the messianic age and the rebuilding of the Temple (Arutz Sheva News, 12-14-04)”.  Also: “Sanhedrin recognizes council to teach humanity the Laws of Noah when a group of non-Jewish delegates have come to Jerusalem to pledge their loyalty to the Laws of Noah.  They appear before the Sanhedrin, who establish High Council for B’nai Noach (Arutz Sheva News, 06-06-06).”

Once the pains begin, and they have begun beloved ones; they are not going to go away like some sticky band-aid.  Oh no, they are going to go forth until the seventh trump!  Yep, it sure seems like things are lining up.  Soon you will be faced with drawing the line in the sand.  Two laws, one for the Jew and one for the Gentile.  The decree (edict) will go forth: Any Gentiles keeping the 7^th day Sabbath shall be found guilty of breaking the Noahide Law and must be punished to the fullest, decapitation.  No Gentile shall be permitted to speak ha shem (the name of YHWH), all who do have blasphemed and are found guilty of breaking the Noahide Law and shall be punished to the fullest; decapitation.  Now stop and ponder that “Here are the patience of the qodesh ones (saints), here are they that keep the commandments of Eloah and testimony of Yahushua (Revelation 14:12)”.  As you eat that verse, let those words be written in your being!  Clearly, the Noahide Laws are intended to replace the marriage vows (10 Commandments) of Yahuah.  All who continue to keep Eloah’s Ten Commandments regardless of what men say, will be found guilty.  The Sanhedrin has indeed been established to make sure the Seven Universal Laws of man are kept.  The Jewish High Court has been built.  The holding cells of all criminals (most likely those who have broken the Noahide Laws) are downstairs, soon they’ll be taken upstairs to the courtroom and then sentenced.  If you think you’re safe over here, think again!  Have you ever heard of the Genocide Treaty?  There happens to be 19 articles to this treaty/convention.  This is very serious, especially since article #2 mentions causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a group.  If one causes another mental harm (as in speaking the truth about the Messiah Yahushua to a lost world) that one is guilty, and can have their trial anywhere in the world.  Yeah, it’s that bad! 

“National issue: one court for all of the world?  A United Nations meeting in Rome is wrapping up five weeks of work on a proposed international criminal court.  The new court would have worldwide jurisdiction and could investigate, indict, hold, try and punish those who committed certain crimes.  The proposed international court would subject Americans to a new world authority.  We’re talking about creating here something that exercises genuine power, real put-people-in-jail power; but that is responsible to no one but itself said Lee Casey who is a constitutional lawyer with the Washington firm of Hunton and Williams (Investment Business Daily, 07-16-98)”.  That old rugged machine is back!  By the millions, the guillotines are being stored in Georgia and other parts of the United States.  Bill #1274 of the Georgia House of Representatives – 1995/1996 Sessions HB 1274 – Death penalty; guillotine provisions Code Sections – 17-10-38/17-10-44:

A bill to be entitled an act.  To amend Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the death penalty generally, so as to provide a statement of legislative policy; to provide for death by guillotine; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.  Section 1 – The General Assembly finds that while prisoners condemned to death may wish to donate one or more of their organs for transplant, any such desire is thwarted by the fact that electrocution makes all such organs unsuitable for transplant.  The intent of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation is to provide for a method of execution which is compatible with the donation of organs by a condemned prisoner.

“And I saw thrones – and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them – and the lives of those who had been beheaded because of the witness they bore to Yahushua and because of the word of Elohim, and who did not worship the beast, nor his image, and did not receive his mark upon their foreheads or upon their hands.  And they loved and reigned with the Messiah for a thousand years.”  (Revelation 20:4)    

Folly days

Dust off the telescopes and pass the escargot because it’s once again time for Saturnsnailia, more commonly known as Christmas!  I thought about doing a piece on how it’s really Mithras in nature, but that would be too predictable.  Besides, there are many great sites with info on that (see first entry) and I want to be original and parrot them as little as possible.  What I don’t want is to waste time with anyone who says that “Christmas isn’t sketchy” without having done any seriously objective study into the matter.  Not trying to offend, but historical facts are true and if I’m taught otherwise then I’ve sadly been misled.  In other words, if a better way of doing things is shown to us then we should be open.  His truth is a sword, cutting down our hearts to bleed out lies.      

For this, some would to seek to label me as a “nit picking Judaizing legalist”.  If by hair splitting they mean embracing light and not grieving my Yahuah by clinging to heathen practices, then yes.  I could point out how certain brothers in Scripture were called Judaizers by Shaul because they were saying one needed to be circumcised in order to be saved, not for promoting Yah’s holidays.  I could point out how legalism isn’t even mentioned in Scripture because it wasn’t an issue, or that the opposite is illegalism and being against the law isn’t a good thing.  And I could point out how Yahushua was most likely born during the Scriptural/real holiday of Sukkot, but I get the feeling they’d still just want to argue and not listen.  I’m in no way saying this to condemn, but to exhort.

And so, I am lead to touch on Hanukkah.  Recently a friend and fellow believer asked me about it, so it’s on my mind anyway.  Much like Purim, it’s a cultural/traditional holiday not commanded in any portion of Torah.  Albeit one referenced in Scripture and one that our Savior seems to have celebrated.  Personally, I think it’s a neutral option because one doesn’t sin if they choose to observe it or if they don’t.  Old habits do die hard, so if one absolutely must celebrate something in December to fellowship then it’s a decent alternative to encourage.  Satan Claws hates us though, so don’t be surprised at any opposition that arises.  Anyway, whatever your current holiday of choice is I sincerely wish you and yours a safe and happy season.  Life does go better with love, not hate.      

On a personal note, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the few of you who may or may not have been following my little blog this year.  At first I was hesitant about standing alone in the line of fire of the haters, but after a couple of failed co-blogs I saw that the only one properly suited to share your beliefs is you.  Now I’m finding it to be a real pleasure, writing has always been a passion of mine and it’s so nice to be doing this once again.  In the coming 2011 I’m looking forward to putting out more of my thoughtful opinions and commentary, what I feel a blog should be built upon.  I don’t expect everyone to agree with all of my views, but I’ll be happy if at least some meaningful research and dialogue is birthed.  I’ll take some milky cookies, got napkins?